There is a chance for state, municipal, and tribal governments to receive millions in federal funds for initiatives that reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency made the announcement late last month that it had $4.6 billion in grants total available for states, with hundreds of millions going to tribes and states in the Northwest. Priority funding would go to projects with the greatest potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. "The Pacific Northwest is witnessing firsthand the urgent need to act on the climate crisis," said Casey Sixkiller, the Northwest regional administrator for the EPA, in a news release. "We are honored to support state and tribal efforts to reduce emissions and make the switch to a green economy." Both a general grant competition and a competition specifically for funding to tribal governments exist. Tribal governments have until May 1, 2024, and applicants in the general competition category have until April 1, 2024.
According to the news release, up to 115 awards worth $2 to $500 million might be given out in the general competition, while up to 100 grants worth $1 to $25 million could be given out in the tribal competition. The availability of awards would be by the fall and winter of 2024. As part of the initiative, the EPA granted 28 projects in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington about $20 million in April. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality received $3 million and Metro received $1 million for the development and improvement of their climate action plans. This includes regional and state-level plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050 and 45% by 2035, respectively.